Flying with 1ST Nation Helicopters

This flight was just an opportunity that presented itself when I drove by the operations here in Southern Ontario. I met Eric Naveau, Owner and Pilot of 1st Nations Helicopters out of Timmins ON, that evening at their "Summer Base Camp" at a major farm operation near Sarnia. After explaining my drone background and my interest in filming his spraying operations I contacted Chris from Apex Helicopters and got his OK. Then next morning we did a quick brief, shared some SOPs and flew together with no issues. Drones and General Aviation CAN work together . . . easily and effectively. This is a great demonstration of Eric's teamwork with Apex and refuellers and maintenance crew, his low flying abilities and the proper application of product.

INSIDE and OUTSIDE - Dean Holtz Photography did all the editing on this video. I did the flying stuff, including the INSIDE flying. That's a bit scary the first time but just be sure to turn off your GPS (use ATTI Mode) and no "return to Home" so it does not think it needs to climb to minimum safe altitude to go home . . . and fly into the ceiling. Also you need to be sure to turn satellite positioning OFF and collision avoidance as well. Use TRIPOD MODE and fly "Carefully". On the LEFT is the raw demo real and on the RIGHT is the finished Commercial done by Dean.

HERB FARM This promotional video was done in less than an hour of flying when my wife and I just happened across the herb farm on a spring outing in 2017. Lovely setting and colours make the video comes alive. Some of the inside flying sequences were done quite safely hand holding a Mavic Pro in my hand, as I walked around the old barns. Makes for a stable camera.

Annual Corn Maze - Korny Corners (Blackwell and Michigan) outside Sarnia, is a local organic vegetable farm that caters to families each fall with a "Corn Maze". Every year it's a new theme. In 2016 it was "Star Wars". 2017 it was Canada's 150th Anniversary. Both videos are here. This location is literally right off the end of Runway at Sarnia Airport (CYZR) and it was weeks of negotiations and clearances to get to fly here. Even the drone company DJI made it hard to work here just due to their own GeoFencing that prevents DJI drones from operating near restricted flying areas. Similar hoops were required during the B-17 Bomber visit when I got special authorization to flying on the airport itself. (See EVENTS)

Lakeshore Demolition Some of my friends went to Lakeshore Public School in Sarnia back in the 1950s. It hasn't been used as a school in many ears. I served as a Kinsmen Club and various community services until May 2018 now it is no more. The whole process took only a few hours and another day or two to clean up. Soon you will never know it existed and 5 new family homes will be built on the spot it once held The music was kind of by accident but it sets the mood for me.

Golf Promo Video - Sarnia Golf and Curling Club video was one of my first commercial projects. I learned a lot about planning and video editing. Got some great shots over several days of shootings. It's too long . . actually 2 videos combined into one, shows the club environment well including why it's such a great club, location, exceptional grooming and great people.